A Lexington Park man was charged with assaulting a woman and stealing her car Sunday from the parking lot of a hair salon.

Patrick Lesean Butler, 19, of Lexington Park allegedly approached a 53-year-old woman as she was walking to her car at about 7:45 p.m. after work at the Hair It Is salon on Exploration Drive and struck her from behind, according to a report from the St. Mary’s County Bureau of Criminal Investigations.

Butler allegedly struck the woman in the face repeatedly seven to eight times, according to charging documents, and she “had her keys ripped from her hand.”

Butler also allegedly stole the woman’s purse before leaving in her vehicle. The victim, who was able to go back to the business and call police, was transported to a nearby trauma center by the Maryland State Police helicopter. A detective said the victim has been released from the hospital.

The suspect “was quickly apprehended thanks to the cooperation of some citizens that reported seeing the vehicle,” Lt. David Yingling said Monday. Butler was arrested within about a half-hour of the alleged assault and car theft, according to police.

A lookout had been broadcast for a blue 2005 Jeep Liberty, and members of the Bay District Volunteer Fire Department called emergency responders to say that a vehicle matching the description was in the rear lot of the firehouse, according to the police report and charging documents.

The Jeep was found still running, and inside officers located the victim’s purse, which appeared to be undisturbed, according to charging documents.

Fire department members notified police that a man had exited the Jeep and run into an adjacent woodline. Police canvassed the area and found Butler, who allegedly had blood on his hands.

Butler allegedly admitted to being the person who “assaulted the lady and stole her car,” according to charging documents. He allegedly told police at the sheriff’s office that he was attempting to find a ride to Virginia and had been looking for a car to steal.

He was charged with robbery, second-degree assault, theft of a motor vehicle and theft under $100. He was transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center where he remained as of Monday in lieu of a $250,000 bond, according to a statement from St. Mary’s County Bureau of Criminal Investigations.